The Syracuse Orange (23-1, 10-1) went on a 28-5 run to close out the Cincinnati Bearcats (14-9, 5-6) this afternoon. The Bearcats took a 49-43 lead after Cashmere Wright (7 points) hit a 3, but the Orange would lock down UC with their zone. Cincinnati only had 1 field goal the last 8:15 by Cash, and 2 Ibrahima Thomas free throws with 6:04 left after that. Not scoring for 8 minutes against one of the best teams in the country is something you can’t do. On his 23rd birthday, Ibrahima Thomas scored a season high 13 points. Yancy Gates had 11-5, and Lance Stephenson had 10-8. The Bearcats got nothing from Deonta Vaughn, 4 points. This was a big game that the Bearcats had a big chance to win, but once again the horribly inefficient offense reared it’s highly efficient head. The Bearcats busted out to a 15-6 lead at the 14 minute mark, and didn’t score again until 7:42 in the half, after Syracuse took the lead. Andy Rautins lead the Orange with 20 points , but Kris Joseph, 17-3 steals, hit 2 huge 3s. One to take the lead, the other to essentially ice it putting the Orange up 64-54. Scoop Jardine had 11-6 assists, and Arinze Oruaku had 11-6. Tough one to take. The margin of error to make the NCAA tournament is really slim now.
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